About this book
Donald Ogden Stewart's *Perfect Behavior* is a wickedly funny parody of etiquette guides that skewers the rigid social conventions of the 1920s. Published in 1922, this humorous masterpiece offers absurdly detailed advice for navigating every imaginable social crisis—from courtship blunders and botched proposals to the perils of telephone etiquette and drawing room disasters. Stewart, the acclaimed author of *A Parody Outline of History*, transforms what should be a straightforward guide into pure comedy gold, complete with ridiculous anecdotes about congressmen in Turkish baths and brides who take the wrong arm down the aisle.
Behind the laugh-out-loud scenarios lies a sharp critique of high society's obsession with perfection and propriety. Through exaggerated guidance on proper introductions, flower messaging, and conversation at calls, Stewart gently mocks the anxiety underlying social performance. The book captures a specific moment in American culture when etiquette mattered enormously—and when satire could expose the sometimes laughable extremes of maintaining appearances.
This audiobook is perfect for anyone who enjoys witty period humor, literary satire, or insights into 1920s social history. Listeners who appreciate the comedic sensibilities of P.G. Wodehouse or Oscar Wilde will find Stewart's irreverent voice irresistibly entertaining. It's an ideal listen for history buffs seeking humor with substance, or simply for those who enjoy laughing at the peculiarities of human social behavior.
